Malik El-Amin

Malik El-Amin (formerly Meral Smith) is a Virgin Island independence activist known for being a part of the "Fountain Valley 5." The "Five" are a group of activists from the U.S. Virgin Islands. There was a turbulent period of rebellion on the Islands. The island was put under virtual martial law, and eventually five men: Ismail Ali, Warren (Aziz) Ballantine, Meral (Malik) Smith, Raphael (Kwesi) Joseph, and Hanif Shabazz Bey were apprehended and then charged with the murder after a planned robbery at Fountain Valley golf course, patroned by tourists mainly, resulted in eight murders. All the men were known supporters of the Virgin Island independence movement.

The five were charged after being subjected to vicious torture in order to extract confessions. They were beaten, hung from their feet and necks from trees, subject to electric shocks with cattle prods, had plastic bags tied over their heads and had water forced up their noses by the "defenders of the law." The judge (Warren Young) overlooking the case worked as Rockefeller's private attorney and even handled legal matters for the Fountain Valley Golf Course prior to being placed on the federal bench. Eventually, the five went to trial in what became known as the "Fountain Valley" murder trial. This was an obvious Kangaroo Court and a mockery of any sense of a fair trial. On August 13, 1973, each of the five men were convicted and sentenced to eight (8) consecutive life terms.

Malik (was 21 at the time of his arrest with no prior history. Now over 70 years old, he has severe chronic health issues including treatment-resistant prostate cancer that has metastized to his bones and degenerative joint disease in his knees. He enjoys writing poetry and cooking fresh food to share with others. He states, “I would be of better service in open society… especially among the younger generations assisting them with means to avoid negative behavior and with how to resolve conflicts non-violently.” While at Golden Grove prison from 2009-2016, he was the chairman of the Prisoners Advisory Council (PAC) and member of the Awaken Mentoring Group who assisted troubled youth to help stop violence. He has support within the Virgin Islands and mainland U.S. should he be granted release to reunite with his family.

The documentary press notes for The Skyjacker’s Tale describe the five defendants’ August 13, 1973 convictions and sentences of eight consecutive life terms plus ninety years, followed by transfer through Puerto Rico to mainland prisons. The notes record their allegations of coercion and the trial judge’s June 13, 1973 rejection of a defense challenge; the documentary’s challenge to the prosecution is not a judicial exoneration. Source: https://www.strandreleasing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/skyjackerstale_pk.pdf#page=8